A rather disappointing release. While
Hamelin’s playing throughout this twofer
exudes superb clarity of texture and
articulation, these performances appear
rather studio bound. The more technically
challenging passages are certainly
despatched with no hint of a problem; it is
Hamelin’s level of immersion with the
music that is in question. While he can
present the listener with charm or glitter, it
is the power of the simple gesture that
eludes him. In the Rondo in A minor,
Hamelin gives us a nicely limpid sound,
but is too interventionist. The other ‘extras’
again reveal inconsistency of delivery: the
Gigue, K 574, is hectic rather than quirky.
Of the Sonatas, it is K 333 that works best,
with a real sense of desolation to the slow
movement.